Brassiere construction



April 21 1959 w. BARG BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov 25; 1956 v INVENTORZ WILLIAM BARG BY 7 ATTYS.

United States Patent Wee BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION William Barg, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to True Form Foundations, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 23, 1956, Serial No. 623,979

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-482) The present invention relates to brassiere construction, and has particular application to front-opening brassieres.

Front-opening brassieres normally have a single line of fastening elements which releasably interconnect the front panels of the brassiere containing the breast cups. While such construction is perfectly suitable for brassieres designed for and worn by the average person, the construction is not comfortable for girls whose figure does not conform to the average. The same is true of con ventional back opening brassieres in which the front panels are fixedly joined to provide a predetermined separation between the breast cups thereof.

The present invention contemplates a simple and inexpensive brassiere which affords adjustment of the separation of the breast cups to fit girls whose figures do not conform to the average.

The invention also provides a novel brassiere having fastening elements which enable adjustment of the bust separation to conform with the style of dress being worn.

The invention also provides a brassiere which is more comfortable than the conventionally designed brassieres.

All of the objects, and the various features and details of the construction of the invention are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing in which;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a brassiere made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through fastening elements of the brassiere shown in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views illustrating the adjustment obtained by the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the brassiere illustrated therein comprises complementary front panel portions 10, having breast cups 11, 11 mounted therein. Complementary side panels 12, 12 are connected to the outer edges of the front panels 10, 10, elastic gussets 13, 13 being provided adjacent the lower edge of the connection to provide greater freedom for movement. The side panels 12, 12 are adapted to extend around the body and are connected at the back by an elastic band 14 spanning between the remote edges of the side panels. Shoulder straps are provided at 15, 15 in conventional manner. In the present embodiment of the invention the band 14 is permanently secured to the side panels 12, 12 and the front panels 10, 10 are provided with free edges 21 and 22 respectively which are releasably and adjustably secured to enable the brassiere to be readily put on and removed.

The elastic band 14 is designed to compensate for slight variations in chest measurement below the breast cup within the range of sizes for which the brassiere is designed. If a wider range of adjustment in this respect is desired, the band 14 may be replaced with suitable adjustable means such as laces, hooks and eyes, and the like.

In accordance with the invention, adjustable fastening 2,882,905 Patented Apr. 21, 1959 elements are provided to connect the edges 21 and 22 to afford variation in the separation of the breast cups 11, 11. In the present instance, the edge 22 is provided with a closure flap 23 having a plurality of fastening elements 24 arranged in laterally spaced parallel rows. In the present instance, the fastening elements 24 comprise eyelets arranged in two straight parallel rows indicated respectively at 2411 and 24b. The edge 21 is provided with cooperating fasteners selectively engageable with one of the series of fasteners 24. In the present instance, the latter fasteners comprise a series of hooks 25 arranged in a single straight row. A cover flap of lace or similar decorative material is provided at 26 to overlie the edge 22 when the fasteners 25 and 24 are interengaged. Thus, when the edges 21 and 22 are connected as shown in Fig. 2, the closure flap 23 lies between the fasteners 24 and 25 and the body, and cover flap 26 covers the edge 22, bridging the gap between the edges 21 and 22.

In accordance with the invention, the fasteners 24 and 25 afiord adjustment of the separation between the breast cups 11, 11. When the hooks 25 are engaged with the eyelets 24a, as shown in Fig. 3, maximum separation between the breast cups 11, 11 is provided as is indicated by the arrow X. On the other hand, when the hooks 25 are engaged with the eyelets 24b, as shown in Fig. 4, minimum separation between the breast cups 11, 11 is provided as indicated by the arrow Y. If desired, further adjustment of the breast cup separation may be afforded by employing additional series of fastening elements, and other types of fasteners may be employed which provide the desired adjustability.

It is noted that by arranging the fasteners in straight parallel rows, the invention provides a closure for the brassiere which is easily manipulated without danger of improper engagement between the respective fasteners.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure, but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

In a brassiere comprising front panels having breast cups therein, side panels secured to said front panels along the outer edge thereof, the inner edges of said front panels being substantially straight and extending from the lower edge of the brassiere to a point above the center of the breast cup, and resilient means interconnecting the remote edges of said side panels across the back of the garment, adjustable fastening means releasably interconnecting said inner edges of the front panels comprising a series of fasteners disposed in a straight line along the entire inner edge of one of said front panels and cooperating fasteners on the other of said panels, said cooperating fasteners being arranged in a plurality of laterally-spaced parallel series coextensive with said first-mentioned fasteners, said first-mentioned fasteners operable to be selectively engaged with the second fasteners in one of said series to provide a firm support for the breast cups while afiording lateral adjustment of the spacing between said breast cups.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,808 Perillat Oct. 12, 1915 1,466,598 Panes Aug. 28, 1923 2,239,056 Schilfer Aug. 22, 1941 2,418,016 Edelston Mar. 25, 1947 2,760,199 Champagne Aug. 28, 1956 2,762,052 Olsen Sept. 11, 1956 

